Clare Castro feels the pressure being the only legit center for Gilas Women in Asia Cup

Clare Castro admitted to feeling the pressure as the only legit center for the Gilas Pilipinas Women in their upcoming campaign in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup in Amman, Jordan.

Standing at 6-foot-4, Castro will be carrying most of the load for the nationals against taller squads from China, Australia, and Chinese Taipei who have an average height of 6-foot-1, 5-foot-11, and 5-foot-9 respectively.

The Philippines, meanwhile, has an average height of only 5-foot-8, the smallest among the four countries.

"I can really feel the pressure because I'm the only tall one in the team," Castro, a product of FEU in UAAP, said in Filipino.

Castro has been one of the slotmen of the national team along with 6-foot-2 Jack Animam, 6-foot Kelli Hayes, and 6-foot Danica Jose but the three cagers won't be able to suit up this time around.

Castro will be pitted against the giants Bec Allen of Australia, Li Yueru and Han Xu of China; and Tsai Peichen of Chinese-Taipei but the 24-year-old bruiser vowed not to back down.

"All of the teams are exciting to go up against because they are really the top teams in this level," she added.

"I just want to contribute anything I can to the team and just do what the coaches order me to do."

Gilas will start its campaign on Monday, September 27, against no. 7 China followed by no. 3 Australia on the 28th, and no. 34 Chinese-Taipei the next day.

—JMB, GMA News